I started this at 15 layers of 1084, 5160, 15N20 and folded 3 times intially, then twice after that - Total layer count now 90 layers.  I will keep here and draw out now as I like the thicker definition from lower layer counts - Dont know why pics are out of order below, but you will understand when looking

 

Not sure what I will do to pattern it yet.

I dont understand your math,  If you only fold in half  your starting stack of 15 layers,  first fold is 30 layers ( 2 x 15 = 30 )   the next makes 60 ( prev 30 x2 = 60 ) one more fold would make is 120 layers ( 2 x 60 = 120 )

 

You have a pic stating 45, which I assume would have been if cut into 3 sections and stacking for the first weld ( 3 x 15 = 45)  a weld 

 

 

but you said made 5 folds and got 90 layers that makes  me confused where does 90 come from

I assumed he did a total of 5 folds: 

 

a trifold - 3 x 15 layers= 45 layers

 

a double up - 2 x 45 layers = 90 layers

Steve - Reread post or look at what latticino said - its at 90

I started this at 15 layers of 1084, 5160, 15N20 and folded 3 times intially, then twice after that - Total layer count now 90 layers.

this is why I was confused,  I saw the 5 folds thing...  fold is a bad word  lol I think of fold as an operation not a group of layers

Guys, every FOLD DOUBLES the count. 15 to the 5th power = 480 layers.

 

What you're doing is stacking so it's simple addition, multiplication will tell you the total. 5x15=75

 

To get a 90 layer billet you must've stacked 3 and folded once. Had you folded it twice it'd be 180 layers.

 

Sorry to break your record Steve but no, you aren't wrong, your mathfu is strong. . . this time. <grin>

 

Frosty The Lucky.

Now I'm confused - Was 15 layers - Welded and lengthened - Cut into three equal pieces and stacked - Welded again and now 45 layers - Cut in half and stacked - Welded again - now 90 layers.  The pics below are a 3 1/2" section I cut off to draw out tomorrow.  Welds look great to me.

Now I'm confused

Looks to me like everyone else is confused..... :unsure:

its sun spots :D

Looks to me like everyone else is confused..... :unsure:

 

Yep and ain't this a definitive example of why professional jargon is critical to communications within a trade.

 

My mother explained to me why jargon (not that she used the word jargon, I was maybe 8) is important by asking me how I thought a cake would taste if "C" could mean anything from: Cup to Cap to Chocolate to Cod liver oil. When she said Cap she held up a bottle cap, I knew what a cup was, chocolate most especially and cod liver oil ewwwwwww!

 

Does it matter if fold, stack and who knows what all mean the same thing or maybe each changes definition every time it's used in the same paragraph? I love word play but we're here primarily for accurate communications, though a pun slips through once in a while. <grin>

 

Frosty The Lucky.

Maybe I see a different side of this thread. No matter how anyone counts the layers...This man is showing his product from some time in the shop.....Time well spent...

Totally agree with Frosty about the descriptive words used to relay to others about our work.

Thanks everyone!

Cool can't wait to see what this will become!

^^^
Same as Loneforge!

Here's where I am with the small section I cut off and have drawn out - Can work on a couple knives now.  Has a ladder pattern

15x3=45folded once=90folded once=180 layers?

I count "folds" as being how many hinges there were:  so a Z fold has 2 hinges and triples the number of layers and a regular fold has 1 hinge and doubles the layers. Cutting and stacking 3 high is equivalent to a Z fold. So the above piece has 3 folds: 1 Z and one Double and 90 layers

Thomas - You are correct!

Stack, fold, addition, multiplication, blah, blah, blah. The maker should know how many layers he has. ;) But I'm with Rich on this: Nice work, kayakersteve :)

ThAnke

what Dodge said - "Stack, fold, addition, multiplication, blah, blah, blah"

 

 

 

........lots of layers !! looks great so far Steve , keep pics coming 

Now we all know that 'mafs' is almost as hard as 'rithmitic' so I can understand the complication, so doesn't the number change cause you grind away half a layer(maybe 1/3 to2/3) every time you stack?

I was taught -  the general rule is 3% loss in layers after the third fold for counting, but the only real way is cut the blade in half and use a microscope and count them. It is not worth it, the layer count is only meaningful to the one making the billet for pattern creation anyway.

 

In the end no one really worries about layer being counted after its finished

<starting layers>•(2)•<number of folds>

17^5= 1,419,857 layers
(17•2)5 = 170 layers

It is not exponential in growth.

So here ya go.

 

 

actually it is exponential, It is your math skills that are lacking

Please read post #7 before any other math guesses - THE BILLET IS 90 LAYERS!